06 April 2018

5 tips to help boost your mental health

Investing in your mental health is vital, here are five tips you can implement today to increase your mental health.

As the saying goes; life is what you
make of it. We all face challenges in our lives and more often than we
appreciate, things don’t go as planned. The strength of your mental health is
important when navigating these challenges. The good news is that you can invest
in your mental health buy cultivating great habits.

1.
Stay as active as possible

A good habit to have is including physical activity into your lifestyle, because exercise can assist your body in producing endorphins, also known as ‘happy’ hormones. According to the NHS adults aged 65 and over are known as the most sedentary age group. Light exercise also releases good hormones so even if all you can muster is a little 20 minute walk a few times a week, go for it! The NHS also explains that being active can lower the chances of developing mental conditions such as depression and dementia.

Running and
walking aren’t the only options you have, there are other fun ways to get
moving. Push the furniture aside, play your favourite song and dance. In
addition to running, walking and dancing, you could also get in a good dose of
movement by having sex, swimming or going for a bike ride.

2.
Invest in quality products

When you
have a condition that has you or a loved one dependent on a device or a product, using a
quality brand can bring you comfort and peace of mind. You don’t want the
stress and frustration that comes with using a product that doesn’t work. For
example, for those who suffer from urinary or faecal incontinence, do your
research and enquire from others as to which product you should try.

Remember,
cost effective care isn’t just about the price of a particular product. It
means choosing the right size, the right absorbency, and the right design of
product for the utmost comfort and security. Cheaper does not always mean
better. The reassurance that comes with using a good quality brand
adds to your overall mental health.

3.
Express yourself

Personal
writing is a great way to express yourself, because writing things down can
help you release the emotions you are feeling, it can also expose the feelings
you might not have known you were feeling and it allows you to do this in a
safe space where it can be kept completely private.

In The Healing
Properties of Writing for Persons with Mental Health Issues, Adrienne M. Ero-Phillips says: “This type of
writing is often used as a cathartic release and can be very beneficial
physically, emotionally, and spiritually.” Writing down
three things you are grateful for each day is a great way to maintain a
grateful outlook on your life. It can help you focus on the good in your life and stop you from being
brought down by all your negative thoughts. Ero-Phillips explains that “journaling
can be a powerful way in which people can express themselves and that often,
journals are used to record daily thoughts, feelings, and aspirations and can
be used to improve personal development.”

4.
Brain food you need

According to
Health24
your mental health is linked to your physical health. This means that the
combination of being active and having a well-balanced diet has a direct effect
on your mental health. Make sure you are eating the right foods more often than
you’re eating unhealthy fast foods which are high in sugar, carbohydrates and
fat. Foods to include in your diet could be fish, wholegrains, fresh fruit and
vegetables. For those with a sweet tooth, try dark chocolate as it is a
healthier alternative.

5.
Surround yourself with that which makes you
happy

Having a
positive outlook on life can make all the difference when it comes to your mental
health. Surround yourself with positive people, limit the time you spend with
people who are negative and drain you of joy. A simple way to help increase the
laughter in your life is to watch a comedy film once a week.

According to
Tracie Abram from Michigan State University, when we are deliberate in laughing on a
daily basis, even during difficult or stressful experiences, we are able to
have more strength to navigate our healing and bring solutions. Learn to laugh
at yourself. Life can be very difficult, and humour is not appropriate in all
cases, but it is good to consider laughing when you can see it being beneficial
to your situation.

Ask the Expert

Dr Prenevin Govender completed his MBChB at the University of Cape Town in 2001. He obtained his Fellowship of the College of Urologists in 2009 and graduated with distinction for a Masters in Medicine from the University of Cape Town in 2010. His special interests include laparoscopic, pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence surgery. He consults full-time at Life Kingsbury Hospital in Claremont.

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The information provided does not constitute a diagnosis of your condition. You should consult a medical practitioner or other appropriate health care professional for a physical exmanication, diagnosis and formal advice. Health24 and the expert accept no responsibility or liability for any damage or personal harm you may suffer resulting from making use of this content.

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